National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday that investigators reviewed the affidavit of self-confessed former Davao Death Squad member Arturo Lascañas as part of their probe into alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during the eighth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Testifying before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, Matibag said the NBI obtained documents related to its investigation, including Lascañas’ sworn statement, which has been submitted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with cases on alleged extrajudicial killings.

Matibag made the disclosure in response to questions from House prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro, who was establishing what she described as a “pattern of violence” involving the vice president.

“As part of our investigation kami po ay nakakuha ng mga dokumento related po rito sa aming inimbestigahan kung saan we got hold of an affidavit nito pong dating police na si Arturo Lascanas na self-confessed member ng DDS (Davao Death Squad),” Matibag said.

He told the court that Lascañas’ affidavit alleged that Duterte was involved in the planning of anti-drug operations, including Oplan Tokhang, and described methods purportedly used to conceal killings, such as abducting suspected drug offenders and burying them in a quarry later found to contain victims of alleged extrajudicial killings.

Defense counsel Mark Vinluan objected to the line of questioning, asking the court to clarify its relevance.

Luistro replied that the prosecution was establishing a pattern of violence, which she argued was pertinent to the case.

Matibag added that, to his knowledge, the affidavit referenced had been submitted before the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is currently hearing cases related to alleged killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.

The NBI is investigating alleged threats made by Duterte and her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, against the president.